Deinking apparatus



Feb. 23, G AMMO DEINKING APPARATUS Filed April- 19, 1929 2 Sheets$heetAl /V70? Kid/FAQ? G. HAMMOND Feb. 23, 1932.

DEINKING APPARATUS Fild April 19, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet I wrnr lhiaPatented Feb. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE GRANT HAMMOND, OFNEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE RECLAMATION COMPANY OF AMERICA,0]? WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELA- WARE DEIN KINGAPPARATUS Application filed April 19,

My invention relates to the class of machines that are employed for thepurpose of cleaning and whitening printed paper by the removal of theprinting ink therefrom, and an object of my invention, among others, isthe production of a machine for such purpose that shall be simple inconstruction and of minimum size, by means of which the ink may besubstantially entirely removed from masses of paper, requiring littlelabor and with a great saving in power as compared with the methods andmachines heretofore commonly employed for deinking purposes.

One form of a machine embodying my invention and in the construction anduse of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may beattained, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1is a view in cross section substantially on a plane denoted by thedottedline 11 of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a View in substantially longitudinal vertical sectionpassing through the axis of the machine, but with some parts of theremoved section shown to illustrate the construction.

Figure 3 is a plan view, scale enlarged, of a portion of a breaker barand scraper illustrating the hinge connection of said scraper to the barand also the spring for holding the bar in contact with the surface ofthe cylinder.

While my improved machine, illustrated and described herein, is adaptedfor use in connection with various methods for removing ink from printedpapers, yet it will be understood that it is particularly adapted foruse in connection with the process illustrated and described in myPatent No. 1.572.478, dated February 9, 1926, to which reference is madefor a more thorough understanding of the use of the ingredients hereinmentioned in a general way.

In the accompanying drawings the numeral 4 denotes the shell or casingof my improved machine that may be composed of any suitable material,preferably metal, and that is gener-' ally round in shape in crosssection and that may be supported as by means of a saddle comprising endpieces 5 hollowed out to fit 1929. Serial No. 356,327.

and receive said shell near its ends. Heads 6, also preferably of metal,are formed to fit and close the ends of the shell, said heads beingsecured in any suitable manner, bolts passing ther-ethrough and throughflanges 7 on the shell being shown herein for this purpose. Hubs 8project outwardly from the central portions of the heads to serve asbearings for parts to be hereinafter described.

A breaker frame is rotatably supported in said hubs, said frameincluding a supporting sleeve 9 located at each end thereof andprojecting through and beyond the hubs 8, arms 10 extending radiallyfrom each of said hubs and in such numbers as may be desired, andbreaker bars 11 each secured at its opposite end to a pair of said armsoppositely arranged within the shell. These bars are preferably ofangular shape in cross section, or are what may be termed ofconvexo-concave formation and are inclined so that the oppositelongitudinal edges are positioned different distances from the axis ofthe breaker frame. A scraper 13 is pivotally attached to the bars in anysuitable manner, preferably some distance back from its edges. A numberof hinges arranged along the length of the bars may be employed, and aspring 56 may also be applied to force each scraper towards the surfaceof the shell or casing. A sprocket Wheel 14 or similar element may besecured to the end of the sleeve 9 as a means for imparting rotation tothe breaker frame.

An intermediate breaker frame is located within the outer frame justdescribed, this intermediate frame comprising a hub 15, a sleeve 16projecting from said hub, arms 17 secured and extending radially fromsaid hub and breaker bars 18 secured to the ends of the arms 17 the endsof each bar being secured to .the ends of oppositely arranged armslocated near the ends of the shell 4;. These bars are preferably ofangular shape in cross section similar to the breaker bars 11, as shownin Figure 1 of the drawings. A driving member 19, shown herein as a spurgear, is secured to the outer end of the sleeve 16 as a means forrotating the intermediate breaker frame. In the preferred form ofconstruction, and as shown herein, there are driving members 14 and 19secured to opposite ends of the outer and inner breaker frame sleeves,so that driving power is applied to each end of said structures for thepurpose of obtaining even driving force thereon.

An expeller 20 is secured to an expeller shaft 21 rotatably mounted inthe sleeve 16 and having a driving member, as a sprocket wheel, 22secured to its outer end as a means for imparting rotation to theexpeller. Said expeller is preferably composed of metal cast in halvesand cored to form thin walls 23 excepting at the ends 24 which areformed thick enough to constitute a solid bearing on the shaft 21 and towhich shaft said expeller is secured. This expeller is somewhat of ovalshape, except that it is provided with oppositely disposed edges 25 thatare more or less sharp. It prevents any collection of material at thecenter of the shell by continuously throwing material towards the wallof the shell, and such material is thoroughly disintegrated by theaction of the breaker bars cooperating with each other and with the wallof the shell.

In the operation of the machine the breaker frames and expeller are sooperated that the contents of the shell will be under constantagitation, this result being obtained by imparting relatively differentmovements to the breaker frames and expeller. This result may beobtained by rotating said frames and expeller in the same direction butat different rates of speed, or it may be obtained, as illustrated inthe drawings herein, by rotating said frames and expeller in oppositedirections and at the same or at different rates of speed. The sprocketwheels 14 and 22 being driven as by means of sprocket chains fromsprocket wheels on a common driving shaft, and the spur gear 19 beingdriven as by a spur gear on said driving shaft, it will be obvious thatthe outer breaker bars with their frame and the expeller may be drivenin one direction, as clock-wise, while the intermediate breaker frameand its bars will be driven in a contra-clockwise direction. Whilerotating in this direction, the angularly shaped and inclined bars 11and 18 will operate to force material toward the wall of the shell. Ifthe direction of rotation is reversed, the said breaker bars willoperate to force material toward the center of the shell.

Said driving shaft 26 may be supported as in bearings 27 at the outerends of arms 28 secured to and projecting from the heads of the shell,and as shown in the dotted lines in Figure 1. The sprocket wheels andspur gear are indicated by concentric dotted lines surrounding thedriving shaft to which said sprocket wheels and spur gear are secured,and the sprocket chains are indicated by dotted lines. The drivingpulley for the shaft 26 is also shown by dotted lines, although suchpulley and the sprocket wheel 22, owing to the line of section, would beremoved, but they are nevertheless shown for the purpose of illustratingthe construction. The driving pulley or pulleys will be arranged todrive the shaft 26 in opposite directions and any suitable means, asstraight and cross belts 29 and 30 may be employed for this purpose.

A hopper 31 is positioned at a loading opening into the top of theshell, said opening being of a length nearly equal to that of the shell.A cover plate 32, curved on the same are as that of the shell, is fittedto close said opening, and bars 33 are fitted to the sides of the hopperand are secured to the cover plate as by means of bolts passing throughflanges in the bars, and as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. A leverhandle 34 having a counterpoise weight is secured to one of said bars,and a clamping member 35 of any suitable construction is supported bythe hopper to engage the edge of the other bar to secure the cover platein its closed position. The handle and the bar to which it is securedwill be provided with one or more pivotal supports 36 as a means forpivotally raising the cover plate to uncover the opening in the shell. Adischarge pipe 37 is attached to one of the heads 6 at the bottomthereof and a discharge valve 38 is applied to a discharge opening intosaid pipe. This valve may be operated in any suitable manner, as by aworm-rack and pinion, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, the pinionbeing operated as by means of a hand wheel secured at the upper end of avalve operating rod 39. The rack bar 40 is connected to the valve stemfor rotating movement independently of said stem, and :1 lug 41 on saidbar is adapted to enter a slot in a hub 42 projecting inwardly inside ofthe discharge pipe 37, said slot not being shown. At the beginning ofopening movement of the valve, the rack 40 rotates without unseating thevalve, but as soon as the lug 41 arrives opposite the slot, then theaction of the worm and rack is to move the valve from its seat. When thevalve is thus opened the pulp contents of the shell may be discharged.

A housing 43 is secured to the underside of the shell thereby creating achamber 44 extending upwardly from the bottom of the shell for somedistance on one side. Openings are formed from the interior of the shellinto this chamber and these openings are closed by perforated metalscreen plates 45 of comparatively fine mesh. A water intake fixture 46,that may be attached to any water supply pipe, opens into the chamber 44and this may be used for the purpose of forcing water through theperforations in the screen plates in filling the shell with the desiredamount of Water for operating purposes, and the screens will thus becleared of any fibers or other obstructive material that may be lodgedon such screens, and a wash discharge pipe 47 is attached to the bottomof said housing, opening out of said chamber. A wash valve 48 controlsthis wash outlet, and said valve may be operated as by means of a rackon its stem meshing with a pinion 49 on a valve operating shaft 50 thatis rotated by means of a pinion on said shaft meshing with a rack 51 atthe lower end of a valve operating rod 52 extending upwardly to a valveoperating lever 53 pivotally attached to the side of the hopper andhaving a ratchet and pawl connection with a toothed segment 54projecting from the top of the shell as a means of loeating the valve 48in any desired position, this ratchet and pawl connection being of anywell-known construction.

It will be understood that the paper, before it is subjected totreatment in my improved machine hereinbefore described, is shredded,and this may be effected by means of a shred der and duster ofany'ordniary type which may or may not comprise a part of my machine butwhich, when forming apart of the machine, will be located to dischargeits contents into the hopper 31 and therethrough into the shell orcasing 4.

It should have been before mentioned that a wash water inlet connectedto any suitable source of water supply is attached to the upper part ofthe shell, this inlet 55 and the fiX- ture 46, or their connections,having proper valves to control inflow of water to the shell.

In the operation of the machine the chamher in the shell is suppliedwith a water solution of caustic soda of proper strength. A two to fiveper cent solution has been found to effect satisfactory results. Theshredded newspapers are fed into the hopper and preferably, at the sametime, more water and caustic soda solution is supplied to the shell. Thefeeding of the shredded paper and the solution is synchronized so thatthe full supply of shredded paper, of water and of solution will be hadat the same time, the machine, during this charging, being in operation.When the machine has been thus charged the cover may be closed andsecured and the speed of the machine may be increased if desired. Acomplete disintegration and separation of the stock into individualfibers will take from about ten to twenty minutes, according to theamount of the charge. The direction of rotation of the breaker frames isnow reversed by the mechanism hereinbefore described and at the sametime the wash valve 48 is opened and the water is supplied through thewash water inlet 55. The agitation of the contents is thus continued andthe action of the scraper blades 13 scrapes the contents from theinterior of the shell and completely clears the screens 45 so that theliquid contents of the shell have free and unrestricted flow through thescreens into the chamber 44 and into the wash discharge pipe 47 Thiswashing of the contents will take from five to ten minutes, dependingupon the amount of the pulp mass and the amount of water used. After thewashing the wash valve is closed and a quantity of sodium bisulphite,either dry or in solution, is added, this being of proper strength andcombined with water to whiten and neutralize the pulp. The dischargevalve 38 is now opened and water is also admitted through the intake 46whereby the pulp contents are flushedout through the discharge pipe 37.This inflow of water will completely clear the screens of any collectionthereon of pulp and the latter is now ready to be supplied immediatelyto a paper making machine, if desired. On the contrary, it may beconverted into any suitable state for subsequent treatment at any futuretime in a regular paper making machine.

On the contrary, if it be desired, the pulp may be dyed or treated inany well-known manner within the machine and before it is discharged byflushing it out as hereinbefore described.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes Ihave-described the principles of operation of my invention, togetherwith the device which I now consider to represent the best embodimentthereof; but I desire to have it understood that the device shown isonly illustrative, and that the invention may be carried out by othermeans and applied to uses other than those above set out.

I claim:

1. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, aplurality of dissimilarly shaped sets of breaker elements movablymounted in said shell, and means for moving said sets of elements inspaced relation one past another.

2. A deinking. machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, aplurality of breaker elements movably mounted in said shell, an expellermovably mounted in said shell to force material toward the outletthereof and means for moving said elements in opposite directions and inspaced relation with respect to said expeller.

3. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, aplurality of breaker elements rotatably mounted in said shell, means formoving said elements in spaced relation one past another, and meansmovably mounted in the shell for expelling material toward the wall ofthe latter and toward the said breaker elements.

4. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, aplurality of breaker elements movably mounted in said shell, means formoving said elements in spaced relation one past another, a screenedoutlet from said shell, a wash water inlet on the outlet side of saidscreen, and means for controlling the outlet flow of liquid through saidoutlet.

5. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, aplurality of breaker elements rotatably mounted in said shell, means forrotating said elements 1n spaced relation in opposite directions onewith respect to another, a screened outlet from said shell, a wash waterinlet on the outlet side of said screen, and means for controlling flowof liquid through said outlet.

6. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening and anoutlet chamber at the bottom thereof, a screen separating said outletchamber from the chamber Within the tank, a plurality of breakerelements movably mounted in said shell, some of said breaker elementseach including a breaker and a scraper, the latter positioned to contactwith said screen and means for moving said elements in spaced relationone past another.

7. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening and anoutlet chamber at the bottom thereof, a plurality of breaker elementsmovably mounted in said shell, means for moving said elements in spacedrelation one past another, and a screen separating said outlet chamberfrom the interior of said shell, said chamber having an opening for flowof wash liquid therethrough into the shell for cleaning the screen.

8. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening and anoutlet chamber at the bottom thereof, a plurality of breaker elementsmovably mounted in said shell, means for moving said elements in spacedrelation one past another, and a screen separating said chamber from theinterior of the shell, said chamber having an opening independent of thescreen mesh for flow of liquid thereinto and another opening for outflowof liquid therefrom.

9. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening and anoutlet chamber at the bottom thereof, a plurality of breaker elementsmovably mounted in said shell, means for moving said elements in spacedrelation one past another, a screen located between said chamber and theinterior of said shell, said chamber having an opening for flow ofliquid therethrough and into the shell through the screen, and adischarge outlet communicating with the interior of said shell fordischarge of the contents thereof.

10. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, aplurality of breaker elements movably mounted in said shell, means formoving said elements in spaced relation one past another, and scraperspivotally attached to some of said elements for movement substantiallyin contact with the wall of said shell.-

11. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, aplurality of breaker elements movably mounted in said shell and arrangedin sets, one set having scrapers and being located in proximity to thewall of the shell and another set at a distance farther therefrom, andmeans for moving said elements in spaced relation one past another.

12. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, alurality of breaker frames movably mounte in the shell and eachcomprising arms with breaker bars secured to the outer ends thereof, thearms on one frame being of a different length from those on another,certain of said breaker bars having scrapers movably attached thereto,and means for moving said frames to efiect movement of said bars onepast another.

13. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, aplurality of breaker frames rotatably mounted in said shell, and eachcomprising arms projecting radially therein, the arms on each framebeing different in length from those on another frame, breaker barssecured to the outer ends of said arms, an expeller rotatably mountedwithin said frames, and means for rotating said frames and expeller inopposite directions one with respect to another.

14. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, aplurality of breaker frames movably mounted in said shell, each framecomprising arms projecting therefrom, the arms on one frame being of alength different from those on another frame, and the ends of said armsbeing of angular shape, breaker bars each comprising an angularly shapedportion secured to the outer ends of said arms, and means for movingsaid bars one past another.

15. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, abreaker frame movably mounted in said shell and comprising armsprojecting therefrom, breaker bars secured to the outer ends of saidarms, scrapers pivotally attached to said bars, means for moving saidframes within said shell, and means for reversing the direction ofmovement of said frame.

16. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening,breaker frames rotatably mounted in said shell, and each comprising armsextending radially therefrom, the arms on one frame being of a lengthdifferent from those on another, breaker bars secured to the outer endsof said arms, scrapers pivotally attached to the bars on the longer ofsaid arms, means for operating said frames to move said bars in spacedrelation one past another, and means for reversing the movement of saidframes.

17. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, aplurality of breaker elements movably mounted in said shell, means formoving said elements in spaced relation one past another, a housingsecured to the bottom of the shell to form a chamber, a screenseparating said chamber from the interior of the shell, a liquid outletfrom the bottom of said chamber, and liquid inlets on opposite sides ofsaid screen.

18. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening, aplurality of breaker elements movably mounted in said shell, means formoving said elements in spaced relation one past another, a housingsecured to the bottom of said shell to form a cham- 1 her, a screenseparating said chamber from the interior of the shell, an outlet fromthe lower portion of the shell for the solid contents thereof, and aliquid inlet opening into said chamber below said screen.

19. A deinking machine comprising a shell, means positioned in saidshell movable in one direction to force material toward the outer wallof the shell and movable in the opposite direction for forcing materialtoward the center of the shell, and means for reversibly moving theaforementioned means.

20. A deinking machine comprising a shell, angularly shaped and inclinedbreaker bars positioned in said shell movable in one direction to forcematerial toward the outer wall of the shell and movable in the oppositedirection to force material towardthe center of the shell, and means forreversibly moving the said breaker bars.

' 21. A deinkingmachine comprising a shell,

angularly shaped and inclined breaker bars positioned in said shell andmovable in one direction to force material toward the outer wall of theshell and movable in the opposite direction for forcing material towardthe center of the shell, an expeller located in the region of the centerof the shell and movable to force material toward the outer wall of theshell, means for reversibly moving the said breaker bars, and means formoving the expeller.

22. A'deinking machine comprising a shell having an inlet opening forthe material being treated and a wash water inlet, said shell having aperforated wall section, av

chamber formed outside of said perforated wall section, an outlet insaid shell for the treated material, and means for washing the treatedmaterial through said outlet.

23. A deinking machine comprising a shell having a filling opening forthe material to be treated and a perforated wall portion positionedopposite said filling opening, a controlled outlet for the shell throughwhich the treated material is discharged, and means associated with theouter surface of the perforated portion of the shell wall for feedingwash water through said wall portion to free the perforations of wedgedmaterial.

GRANT HAMMOND.

